Charles C. Rich's Online Review Report Card

How do you thank someone for giving you your life back? He fused L2-S1. I have been in horrific pain with every step for 2 years. I've been scared to have it done. After much research, I had the surgery last Tuesday. I was walking the next day and there was no pain in my leg as before. None. He is amazing. May God bless him BIG and may He bless you too!!!

My daughterinlaw had a brain tumor removed by Dr. Rich. The surgery went well but, she has had so many issues since. She actually felt better before the surgery. The followup care was terrible. She was pawned off on another Dr. to figure out the problem and to try to find help on her own. She's almost a year post surgery and still doesn't feel well. She still doesn't have a good answer as to why and Dr. Rich hasn't cared. He may be a good surgeon but, plan on being on your own postop especially if you have issues.

I have had herniated discs for 15 years and avoided surgery until a recent accident. I went and saw Dr. Rich after that, and he was so great, took the time to explain things, recommended surgery (which he doesn’t always do, but I had some compression that was causing limited paralysis). I had surgery about a month ago and wow, what a difference. I felt like he really understood the pain, and was also methodical in the exam and thoughtful in presenting alternatives. Honestly, I cannot recommend him highly enough. If you’re having back trouble, Dr. Rich is the surgeon you want to see. Thank you so much Dr. Rich!

This is the surgeon that I was referred to by the ER doctor. After waiting for 2-1/2 weeks for him to return from vacation, the receptionist told me he decided not to take my case. When asked "what does that mean?" she couldn't say. This is not a closed loop on communication or care. I am left not knowing how to manage my health problem, and now have to obtain another referral and locate another doctor that cares enough to discuss options with me.

I would never recommend this man for anything! 2&1/2 months after Rich did his hack job, I was scheduling my second surgery that I had to pay for after paying cash for the first. He informed my parents the manufacturers wanted the broke hardware, he said I could live with it. I've lost my career, quality of life, everything. I've just had my 4th & 5th neck surgeries plus more too come to repair the damage that was done and left. I feel sorry for Mr. Rich and his misconception of being a real surgeon.

He was patient and answered all of my questions at my consult appointment. He had a positive attitude, but was very honest about what to expect and the discomfort I would experience. After surgery he came to my hospital room every day I remained there (3 nights) to check on my progress etc. I’ve been home for a week now and feel better every day. I’m confident he did an outstanding job on my back fusion.

This guy is a quack, pure and simple. My sister herniated not one, but four discs in her lower neck and upper back. She was in tremendous pain for three weeks before an emergent MRI confirmed the problem. Her health insurance advocates recommended Dr. Charles Rich so we hurried to make her an appointment. Even knowing her stress and agony, she had to wait a month to see him. When she finally entered his office, he was 30 minutes late. When he got around to seeing her, he spent a total of 10 minutes telling her that surgery to correct the issue was difficult and painful. He suggested trying cortisone injections first. “The injections may take a lot of the stress off the nerves and allow the body to right itself.” That’s the line he handed us. He expected us to believe that 4 herniated/bulging discs would suddenly, magically, pull themselves back into alignment and start behaving themselves. What a load of bull. I don’t have a medical degree and even I know that’s a lie! When we challenged him on this point, he blew us off and stated he would write a prescription for injections. When we expressed concern about having to wait another month or longer to get in for injections, Dr. Rich stated, “well you’ve been living with it for this long, what’s another month?” We left his office, feeling disappointed and quite angry. When we got home, we called Dr. Rich’s office and stated we did not want to do injections and would rather schedule surgery as quickly as possible. He refused to speak about our concerns, and instead relayed that he would not perform surgery until after the injections had been performed. So here’s a doctor, a professional and expert in his field, and he has demonstrated not only a lack of heart for a hurting patient, but also a lack of respect for her as a human being. He lied to us, flat out, because he just doesn’t want to help her. It’s a risky procedure and I suppose there’s a chance it would screw up his pristine record. This is a person who is in it for the money and certainly not because he cares. Stay away from Dr. Charles Rich.

I met with Dr Rich earlier in the year, he was anxious to do surgery on my neck. I told him that most people I talked to said do surgery as a last resort and asked about trying less invasive procedures first to see if it would address the pain and headaches. At the time he agreed. After the less invasive procedures failed I asked to meet again to discuss the surgery. They required I get another MRI after which I got a puzzling call from Dr Rich apologizing for missing my call (I hadn't called him) and that things looked "the same on my MRI" so he DIDN'T recommend surgery. So I called multiple times trying to get clarification. (Why was he ready to go previously but when "nothing changed" between MRIs he didn't think he should do it?) He never returned my calls and the staff I spoke to were very rude. Communication and responsiveness is as important as treatment, IMO, so I'd recommend someone else besides Dr Rich.

I've always been very pleased with Dr. Rich but was surprised this round. After waiting a week for the MRI to be reviewed the only response given was that he wouldn't be scheduling an appointment. Even when asked for a reason none was given. I think given he reviewed the MRI a simple "I know longer do this type of surgery" or "This is not something I have expertise in" would have been nice.

Best thing I ever had done!!! Pain free!!!